NewsStart-up plans World Airways revival with 787s, ULCC modelSerial start-up airline executive Ed Wegel has announced plans to re-launch former widebody freighter operator World Airways as a long-haul passenger carrying airline flying Boeing 787s using an ultra-low-cost model. US-based investment firm 777 Partners acquired the intellectual property of World Airways, Inc., named Wegel as founding chief executive of the re-launched carrier and disclosed ongoing discussions with Boeing to order up to 10 787s.
LinkMonarch administrators to appeal after unfavorable slots rulingAdministrators for Monarch Airlines plan to appeal a court decision dismissing their claim for the right to sell the collapsed UK leisure carrier's slots. KPMG, which was appointed administrator after Monarch ceased flights in the early hours of 2 October, had turned to the UK High Court in a bid to secure the right to the slots.
LinkATR launches -600 freighter with large FedEx orderUS cargo operator FedEx Express is ordering up to 50 of a new ATR freighter model, based on the 72-600 turboprop. ATR is to develop the 72-600F, fitted with a large cargo door in the forward fuselage as well as a cargo door in the rear, for entry into service in 2020.
LinkWhat next for the UAE's two low-cost airlines?For the past eight years Flydubai and Air Arabia have appeared to enjoy formidable growth by sticking to their own trajectories. Despite the rival carriers being based just a hop from each other at Dubai International and Sharjah airports, their business models and route networks have been sufficiently distinct to ensure both prospered.
LinkRoyal Jordanian outlines turnaround planRoyal Jordanian (RJ) has outlined a five-year turnaround plan that the Jordan flag carrier hopes will consolidate its currently improving financial position.
LinkEASA seeks new emissions standards for aircraftThe European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is looking to set new emissions standards for aircraft in a bid to curtail carbon dioxide (CO2) production. EASA has proposed that newly designed aircraft types should meet a CO2 standard from Jan. 1, 2020, with types already in production at that date being held to a separate standard from Jan. 1, 2023.
LinkVirgin Australia eyes more Asian services in 2018Virgin Australia intends to start operating at least one new Asian route next year, as the carrier continues to seek access to slot-constrained airports.
LinkAtlas Air Worldwide 3Q results hurt by alleged pilot work slowdownAtlas Air Worldwide Holdings president and CEO Bill Flynn said he expects a US federal court ruling later this month on a preliminary injunction sought by the company to stop what Atlas is calling “illegal, intentional work slowdowns and service interruptions” by its pilots.
LinkEC approves acquisition of Copenhagen AirportsThe European Commission (EC) has given the green light for Danish investor Arbejdsmarkedets Tillaegspension (ATP) and Canada’s Ontario Teacher's Pension Plan Board (OTPP) to indirectly acquire a controlling stake Danish airports operator Copenhagen Airports. Copenhagen Airports owns and operates Copenhagen’s main airport, Kastrup, which has seen 45% passenger growth since 2005. It also runs Roskilde, Copenhagen’s secondary airport.
LinkWizz Air boosts 1H profits on higher revenuesProfits, revenue and passengers all kept pace at Central and Eastern European LCC Wizz Air, as it reported substantial improvements in the first half of its financial year.
LinkRyanair rolls out new digital initiativesIrish LCC Ryanair has rolled out a series of new digital initiatives as part of its Always Getting Better (AGB) improvement program, including connecting flights at Porto Airport in Portugal. Ryanair will initially start connecting on 20 of its own routes at Porto, effective Jan. 3, 2018. This builds on the Ryanair-to-Ryanair connections the LCC is already offering at Rome Fiumicino and Milan Bergamo airports in Italy.
LinkEmirates to debut new first-class on European routesEmirates Airline will initially fly its new first-class cabin product on services to its Belgian and Swiss destinations. The Dubai-based carrier’s initial two Boeing 777-300ERs to be fitted with the new cabin—details of which will be unveiled on the first day of next week’s Dubai Air Show—will operate from Dubai to Brussels and Geneva from Dec. 1.
LinkUSAF puts comms gateway for F-22 and F-35 back on shopping listA communications system that can translate messages between the US Air Force’s most advanced and oldest fighters is back on the service’s expedited shopping list, according to a recent acquisition notice. The Air Force Lifecycle Management Center (AFLCMC) is asking suppliers to provide information about how they could deliver and integrate a “5th to 4th Generation Gateway” system on the USAF’s fighters within 12 months.
LinkTyphoon tests keep Brimstone integration on targetA flight-test campaign involving nine live firings of MBDA's Brimstone air-to-surface missile from the Eurofighter Typhoon has been completed in the UK, with the combination on track to enter operational use with the Royal Air Force by March 2019. Conducted from BAE Systems' Warton site in Lancashire from July 2017, the activity also included nine jettison trials, the UK company says. It performed the testing in co-operation with MBDA, Qinetiq and the UK Ministry of Defense, with support also coming from Eurofighter consortium partners Airbus Defense & Space and Leonardo.
Link KC-390 program on track for 2018 deliveriesEmbraer will deliver its first KC-390 transport/tanker from the middle of next year, with flight testing having reached an advanced stage. In a third-quarter results statement issued on 27 October, Embraer said it "will be ramping up production of the KC-390" next year, "with first delivery of this jet expected in the second half of 2018". The Brazilian air force is its only confirmed buyer for the twinjet to date, with the service to field an eventually 28-strong fleet. The company has previously outlined a plan to hand over its first two customer aircraft in 2018.
LinkGI takes delivery of second PC-12NG and plots expansionAbu Dhabi charter operator GI Aviation has taken delivery of its second Pilatus PC-12NG single-engined turboprop, and is planning to launch an aircraft management program to broaden its fleet and service offering. GI launched services in January, becoming the first commercial operator of the PC-12 in the Middle East. Patrick Gordon, general manager of the Al Bateen-based company, says the response to the Swiss-built aircraft has been mixed. "We still have some educating to do," he says, pointing to a stigma surrounding single-engined aircraft in the region.
LinkIAI steps up effort to expand business jet offeringIsrael Aerospace Industries (IAI) is increasingly focused on re-establishing its presence in the business jet market, and has held a series of meetings with prospective partners in recent weeks to discuss potential projects. The urgency of this initiative was triggered by the 2016 decision to end production of the Gulfstream G150, which IAI built under license. It leaves the Israeli company's business jet involvement limited to just the G280, for which it builds the fuselage and empennage as well as performing final assembly of the type.
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